Thursday broker round-up UPDATE

17th Jul 2014 11:07

Antofagasta: Canaccord Genuity cuts target price from 870p to 835p and maintains a hold recommendation. African Minerals: Canaccord Genuity reduces target price from 230p to 170p and keeps a buy recommendation. Ashmore Group: Goldman Sachs downgrades to neutral with a target price of 430p. Barcla

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London pre-open: Chinese PMI to give FTSE lift early on

1st Jul 2014 07:40

Buoyed by a positive set of Chinese manufacturing figures out overnight, London stocks are set to register decent gains this morning. City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open around 17 points above yesterday's close of 6,743.94. Wall Street finished yesterday on a mixed note, matching the pic

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Standard Life completes £390m Ignis acquisition

1st Jul 2014 07:35

Standard Life has completed the £390m purchase of Ignis Asset Management from insurance peer Phoenix Group. The deal, which has now received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority, was first announced in March and was a move by Standard Life to bolster its investment management division. "T

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Phoenix posts lower Q1 cash generation

1st May 2014 11:07

Phoenix Group Holdings, a company that acquires and manages closed life insurance businesses, posted a reduction in first-quarter cash generation on Thursday. Cash generation fell from £410m to £235m year-on-year, although the total holding company's cash rose to £1,197m compared to £995m at the 2

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Legal & General the top pick in changing UK life insurance sector, says Berenberg

17th Apr 2014 12:51

Berenberg has said that Legal & General remains its 'preferred play' in the life insurance sector following the recent major shake-up of the annuity and savings markets in the UK. The broker called it a "brave new world" for the industry which will be transformed by the end of quasi-compulsory annu

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FTSE 250 movers: Rathbone Brothers up on AuM increase

2nd Apr 2014 16:11

Rathbone Brothers was higher on reports it has increased its assets under management (AuM) after acquiring private client businesses, including one from Jupiter Asset Management. Kazakhmys climbed after it completed the disposal of its 50% stake in Ekibastuz GRES-1 to Samruk-Energo. The group rece

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London midday: Markets edge higher but gains limited

2nd Apr 2014 11:48

- Stocks extend three-week high - ECB, US data ahead - Antofagasta unharmed by Chile quake - Sports Direct extends gains on expansion potential techMARK 2,795.73 +0.42% FTSE 100 6,666.62 +0.21% FTSE 250 16,470.77 +0.39% The FTSE 100 had pushed into positive territory by Wednesday lunchtime, but ga

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London open: Markets hold at three-week high

2nd Apr 2014 08:59

- Markets flat ahead of ECB, US data - Antofagasta operations unaffected by Chile quake - Domino's, ASOS impress with results techMARK 2,788.47 +0.16% FTSE 100 6,650.51 -0.03% FTSE 250 16,413.15 +0.03% UK stocks were flat at a three-week high on Wednesday morning as investors paused for breath ahe

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Monday broker round-up UPDATE

31st Mar 2014 10:41

African Minerals: Credit Suisse cuts target price from 280p to 200p maintaining a neutral rating. Anglo American: Credit Suisse reduces target price from 1900p to 1800p and retains an outperform rating. ARM Holdings: Barclays takes target price from 1125p to 1200p and reiterates an overweight reco

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Sector movers: Insurance stocks whacked by FCA investigation

28th Mar 2014 14:42

Insurance stocks were reeling on Friday ahead of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigation into billions of pounds worth of policies dating back four decades on concerns that customers were being exploited. The FCA, which will formally announce the probe on Monday, is focusing on products t

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London midday: Markets erase gains as insurance stocks tank

28th Mar 2014 12:02

- Insurers drop sharply on FCA investigation reports - Miners edge higher - Chinese Premier hints at more stimulus techMARK 2,767.34 +0.16% FTSE 100 6,590.41 +0.03% FTSE 250 16,181.96 -0.12% The FTSE 100 was trading more or less flat by Friday lunchtime after erasing earlier gains as heavy losses

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London open: Miners rise on Chinese stimulus hopes, insurers drop

28th Mar 2014 08:34

- Miners rise on Chinese stimulus hopes - Li Keqiang hints at possible easing - Insurers fall on FCA investigation techMARK 2,779.04 +0.58% FTSE 100 6,621.74 +0.51% FTSE 250 16,239.90 +0.23% UK stocks were making decent gains on Friday morning after a positive session in Asia overnight as comments

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London midday: Insurance stocks push markets higher, but banks fall

26th Mar 2014 11:42

- FTSE 100 at highest since March 11th - Insurers provide a lift, Standard Life and Phoenix in focus - Lloyds drops after government sale, RBS downgraded - ECB, PBoC stimulus hopes and US data drive gains techMARK 2,787.86 +0.51% FTSE 100 6,630.79 +0.39% FTSE 250 16,273.83 +0.75% UK stocks were at

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Oriel sees higher dividends at Phoenix after Ignis deal

26th Mar 2014 10:41

Oriel Securities has kept an 'add' rating on Phoenix Group, hailing the closed life funds consolidator's deal to sell its Ignis Asset Management division to Standard Life. The £390m cash deal forms part of Phoenix's planned reduction in gearing levels and diversification of its financing structure,

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London open: Stocks at two-week high, Standard Life jumps

26th Mar 2014 08:19

- FTSE 100 set for best close since March 12th - Markets track gains on US, Asian indices - Standard Life, Phoenix agree on Ignis deal - Lloyds drops after government sale techMARK 2,793.31 +0.70% FTSE 100 6,620.06 +0.23% FTSE 250 16,264.06 +0.69% UK stocks edged higher on Wednesday morning with m

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